National gospel artist comes to Gastonia church

Published: Friday, August 23, 2013 at 06:15 PM.

The mega-selling “Never Would Have Made It” held down the No. 1 slot at Gospel radio for almost a full year; topped the Urban AC chart, the first to do so since Yolanda Adams’ “Open My Heart;” was a top selling ringtone and ring back; and propelled “Thirsty” to the top of the gospel charts for 27 weeks.

Sapp has been honored and recognized for his professional and philanthropic efforts in Grand Rapids, Mich. He received the city’s highest African American honor, a Giants Award, as well as the Frederick Douglas award from the National Association of Negro and Professional Women’s Club.

An author, he recently released his new relationship book titled “Marvin’s Motivational Moments.”

The Sept. 4 worship service begins at 7 p.m., and the public is invited.

National Gospel Recording Artist Dr. Marvin Sapp will be the featured speaker for an evangelistic worship service titled “One Big Night, One Big Worship, for One Big God” at 7 p.m. Sept. 4.

The worship service is open to the public and will be held at St. Stephens AME Zion Church, 201 W. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia.

“It has been my desire to bring the ministry gift of Dr. Marvin Sapp to Gastonia for some time, said David A. Williams, senior pastor of Pleasant Ridge AME Zion Church and host pastor of the evangelistic worship service. It is not easy to sponsor persons who have national platforms, but God has favored our city.”

Marvin Sapp is not a singer that happens to preach – but a preacher that has been gifted to sing.

In 2012, he mitigated the pain of the loss of his wife through conversations with God. These conversations provided the backdrop for his ninth solo CD, “I Win.”

The title “Here I am,” his eighth album, is more than a little ironic when one considers that “Never Would Have Made It” from his 2007 release “Thirsty” has been among the most ubiquitous gospel songs of the last three years – let alone all time.

According to Billboard, Marvin Sapp’s new single, “Best In Me,” has already matched the 2008 peak of his seminal “Never Would Have Made It.”

The mega-selling “Never Would Have Made It” held down the No. 1 slot at Gospel radio for almost a full year; topped the Urban AC chart, the first to do so since Yolanda Adams’ “Open My Heart;” was a top selling ringtone and ring back; and propelled “Thirsty” to the top of the gospel charts for 27 weeks.

Sapp has been honored and recognized for his professional and philanthropic efforts in Grand Rapids, Mich. He received the city’s highest African American honor, a Giants Award, as well as the Frederick Douglas award from the National Association of Negro and Professional Women’s Club.

An author, he recently released his new relationship book titled “Marvin’s Motivational Moments.”

The Sept. 4 worship service begins at 7 p.m., and the public is invited.